University of East London
Organisation type:
Research Institution
Contact name:
Jack Clough
Position/ Role:
Researcher
email:
Grants interested in applying for:
Paludiculture and Wetter Farming Fund
Region:
National/cross-region
Areas of expertise
Carbon accounting/ water management, Environmental monitoring (habitats, water quality), Farmer engagement/ knowledge exchange, Market innovation/ product development/ supply chain, Peatland restoration, Scientific research (ecology, soils, modelling, remote sensing, biogeochemistry), Socioeconomic research
Resources available
Facilities for meetings/ demonstrations, Laboratory or analytical capacity, Match funding opportunities, Monitoring and sensing equipment (e.g. hydrology, ecology, remote sensing) equipment, Staff time/ research capacity
Engagement interests
The Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) at the University of East London would be interested in contributing as either a project lead or project partner within future PWFF funded paludiculture projects. We are particularly keen to collaborate on multidisciplinary, applied research that supports the scaling-up of Sphagnum, Reed and Typha-based paludiculture systems and the development of sustainable markets for wetland biomass.
SRI has an established track record in paludiculture research, including projects focused on developing innovative bio-based construction materials from wetland biomass, such as binderless insulation products that deliver long-term biogenic carbon storage. Our work aims to create both scientific and commercial pathways that reduce emissions from drained peatlands while displacing fossil-derived and mineral-based products in the construction sector.
We offer expertise across ecology, environmental monitoring, green infrastructure, social science, environmental planning, sustainable materials, and innovation. We are well placed to co-develop research methods, contribute ecological and socio-economic assessment, support pilot and demonstration projects, develop and test novel bio-based material prototypes, and help evaluate environmental and market outcomes. We can also contribute PhD supervision capacity and support skills development within collaborative projects.
Through our existing networks, we can help connect projects with paludiculture trial sites, construction-material SMEs, NGOs, land managers, policymakers, and UK and international research partners. We are particularly interested in supporting projects that strengthen the evidence base for paludiculture, demonstrate viable value chains for wetland biomass, and accelerate the transition towards sustainable peatland management and a circular bioeconomy
Additional information
The Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) at the University of East London has extensive experience across peatland restoration, paludiculture, sustainable materials development, environmental monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and carbon assessment.
Relevant peatland and paludiculture projects:
Sphagnum Farming UK (Agri-Tech Catalyst)
SRI was a collaborator on the UK's first commercial Sphagnum farming project, led by Micropropagation Services Ltd. Our role included hydrological monitoring, Sphagnum growth assessments, and supporting doctoral research on Sphagnum cultivation and production systems.
https://uel-repository.worktribe.com/output/481661
Water Works – The Great Fen
SRI was a project partner in one of the UK's first large-scale paludiculture demonstration projects. The project established trials of reed (Phragmites), Typha, Sphagnum, and a range of additional wetland crops, generating practical experience in crop establishment, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement.
https://www.greatfen.org.uk/our-work/water-works
Peatland Progress – The Great Fen
SRI continues to support the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire as paludiculture advisors, contributing to planning, monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge exchange activities. The project also supports doctoral research into Typha-based building materials.
https://www.greatfen.org.uk/our-work/peatland-progress
GGR-Peat
SRI is collaborating with the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) on stakeholder perceptions, barriers and opportunities for paludiculture adoption, carbon lifecycle assessment of harvested wetland biomass, and evaluations of biomass productivity and utilisation pathways.
https://www.ceh.ac.uk/our-science/projects/ggr-peat
Lowland Agricultural Peat Task Force – Paludiculture Sub-group
SRI acted as an academic partner in the development of the roadmap for making widescale paludiculture adoption commercially viable in England, helping to shape future policy and commercial development pathways.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/roadmap-to-making-wide-scale-adoption-of-paludiculture-a-commercial-reality-in-england
Research expertise and capabilities:
Across these projects, SRI has delivered:
- Peat depth and soil surveys
- Water quality and hydrological monitoring
- Remote sensing and environmental monitoring using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), drones and satellite imagery
- Stakeholder engagement through interviews, surveys, workshops and participatory research
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- Biomass productivity assessments
- Development and testing of innovative bio-based construction materials derived from paludiculture crops, particularly Typha
Sustainable materials innovation:
SRI has a strong track record in translating biomass research into commercially relevant products.
Sugarcrete®
SRI led the technical development of Sugarcrete®, an award-winning low-carbon bio-based building material that has received international recognition, including Earthshot Prize nomination.
National Materials Innovation Programme (MOSAIC-Composites)
SRI is currently collaborating on a feasibility study exploring market-driven opportunities for sustainable agricultural construction composites, including the incorporation of Typha fibres into commercial building products developed by Agreka Build Ltd.
https://www.agrekabuild.com
Facilities and equipment
SRI can provide access to the newly established London Sustainable Materials Lab (LSML), which supports research, prototype development, testing and validation of sustainable materials.
Facilities include:
- Material characterisation and performance testing
- Mechanical and hygrothermal testing
- Microstructural analysis
- Bio-material processing and prototype development
- Digital manufacturing and fabrication facilities
- Soil and water quality analysis capabilities
LSML supports collaboration between researchers, SMEs, industry partners and policymakers to accelerate the development and commercialisation of sustainable materials.
Monitoring Equipment:
We can provide a range of field monitoring equipment including:
Hydrological/Weather: Tensiometers, Level Loggers, Rust Rods, Weather stations, Nutrient analysis
Remote Sensing: Drone Survey: Lidar, RGB, Multispectral sensors, Terrestrial Laser Scanners
Ecological: Site survey and monitoring expertise for plants, birds, bats and invertebrates
Trial sites, demonstrations and workshops
Through our ongoing collaborations, SRI has access to an extensive network of paludiculture practitioners, trial sites, peatland restoration projects, conservation organisations and industry partners. We can support field demonstrations, stakeholder workshops, training events, knowledge exchange activities and pilot studies focused on wetland crop production, biomass utilisation and bio-based materials development.